Vandalia council approves parks equipment, joins county hazard mitigation plan and enacts emergency assessments in unanimous votes

VANDALIA, Ohio — The Vandalia City Council on Jan. 21 approved three resolutions and an emergency ordinance by unanimous votes that authorize capital equipment purchases for Parks & Recreation, continue participation in a county hazard mitigation plan and certify delinquent assessment amounts for collection.

The council approved the Parks and Recreation Department’s request to purchase a Toro Groundmaster 4000D rough mower from Century Equipment (a Jerry Pate company) under Sourcewell contract 031121‑TTC for $96,932.18. The 2025 capital budget had $105,000 allocated for the replacement. Council Member Forrest moved to approve Resolution 25R7; Council Member Follett seconded. Roll call returned six "Yes" votes and the resolution passed 6–0.

Council also approved purchase of a Toro Greenmaster 3150Q triplex mower from Century Equipment under the same Sourcewell cooperative at a contract price of $50,762.25. The 2025 capital budget had $60,000 set aside for the purchase. Council Member Dugan moved to approve Resolution 25R8; Council Member Lewis seconded. The motion passed on a 6–0 roll call.

Separately, council voted to continue the city’s participation in the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan (Resolution 25R09). The plan references Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; city staff said the city has prioritized tornado warning and public notification projects and is seeking funding for two outdoor warning sirens in specified areas. Council Member Follett moved to approve 25R09; Council Member Lewis seconded. The measure passed 6–0.

Finally, council adopted Emergency Ordinance 2501, which approves individual assessments for delinquent stormwater fees, trash collection, delinquent sewer and water, weed cutting and property maintenance and directs the finance director to certify the amounts to the county auditor for collection. The council opened a public hearing on the ordinance as required for emergency assessments; the motion to adopt as an emergency was moved by Council Member Forrest and seconded by Council Member Dugan. The roll call vote was 6–0 in favor.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 25R7 — Purchase Toro Groundmaster 4000D rough mower; mover: Council Member Forrest; second: Council Member Follett; vote: 6–0; amount: $96,932.18; budgeted: $105,000 (2025 capital budget). - Resolution 25R8 — Purchase Toro Greenmaster 3150Q triplex mower; mover: Council Member Dugan; second: Council Member Lewis; vote: 6–0; amount: $50,762.25; budgeted: $60,000 (2025 capital budget). - Resolution 25R09 — Continue participation in Montgomery County multi‑jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan; mover: Council Member Follett; second: Council Member Lewis; vote: 6–0. - Emergency Ordinance 2501 — Approve and certify delinquent assessment amounts (stormwater/trash/sewer & water/weed cutting/property maintenance); mover: Council Member Forrest; second: Council Member Dugan; vote: 6–0.

Why it matters: The mower purchases replace aging equipment used by golf/park maintenance and were budgeted in the 2025 capital program; continued participation in the county mitigation plan keeps the city eligible for certain federal and county hazard‑mitigation programs and potential cost‑sharing (the staff presentation mentioned possible siren projects). The emergency ordinance initiates collection of delinquent accounts that the city will certify to the county auditor.

Clarifying details

- Toro Groundmaster 4000D price: $96,932.18 (Sourcewell contract 031121‑TTC via Century Equipment/Jerry Pate company). - Toro Greenmaster 3150Q price: $50,762.25 (same Sourcewell contract). - 2025 capital budget allocations: $105,000 (Groundmaster), $60,000 (Greenmaster triplex mower). - Hazard mitigation: staff referenced Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief…